Sports

Chile’s Indigenous Mapuche people have long fought the government over land claims. They’ve faced discrimination and assimilation in Chilean society. But some Mapuche communities are now turning the page. And they’re using an ancestral sport to help protect and revive their culture, customs and language.

Training in karate was not always easy for Nobuko Oshiro, who faced bullying and harsh treatment from her instructors as one of the few women in the sport. Now at 77, she is Okinawa’s only female grandmaster and runs a renowned dojo, inspiring students from around the world.

The Ciudad Juárez Marathon, in northern Mexico, is known for having an Indigenous category, which attracts runners from the Tarahumara tribe. The group has a long tradition of running long distances while wearing sandals, and have even inspired a trend of barefoot running around the globe. But a new generation of Tarahumaras wants to run in different types of shoes.

Winning gold at the Olympic Games is a huge accomplishment. But athletes are received in various different ways upon returning to their home countries, with some even being showered with gifts and cash. But others question if financial rewards are appropriate.

The beachside community of Samandağ was devastated by last year’s earthquakes in southern Turkey, which killed roughly 60,000 people. Today, a small surf center introduces local teenagers to the sport — and a way to process trauma while facing fear.